Spring and mattress support for beds and the like



y 6, 1952 E. H. ANDERSON 2,595,321

SPRING AND MATTRESS SUPPDRT FOR BEDS AND THE LIKE Fi led Jan. 8, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Zmnentor Evn est H. Anderson May 6, 1952 E. H. ANDERSON 2,595,321

' SPRING AND MATTRESS SUPPORT FOR BEDS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 (9/ Snventor Ernest H. Anderson attorney Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING AND mn'rrnns s' SUPPORT FOR BEDS AND THE LIKE Ernest H. Anderson, Jamestown, .NI. )5. Application January 194s, Serial-N0. L100 1 Claim. 1

j'Ihis invention relates to improvements in beds, couches, and the like, and more p cul ly to a spring. and/0r mattress support for such structures;

Except for design changes from time to time, little or no improvement in the structure of beds or couches has occurred. That is, today, as for a long period of time, beds and couches have consisted principally of a pair of end boards or members connected by side rails, the side rails being provided with cleats on which to mount a number of transversely disposed spring or mattress supporting slats. In most instances the slats are merely laid in place on the cleatsby way of loosely bridging the space between the side rails .;and serve no other purpose than to providelaljloose and generally unreliable support or mounting for a spring and mattress. Fur: thermoregithese slats, when positioned on -.the cleats, add nothing whatsoeveriby way of improving the stability or rigidity of the frame of t he bed or couch. The hook-like fasteners which are commonly used to connect side railsxand end members of a bed may, for a period of time, serve to maintain the bed or couch frame'in fairly accurate rectangular form. However, since these" hooks and their manner'of applicationjare not intended to particularly serve to rigidify the frame, it frequently occurs that. in use -t he frame: becomes somewhat twisted and this twisting can; "and frequently does, produce such turning of: the slats that they drop out of place.' For the most part, in structures of this nature, it is only possible to prevent inadvertent displacement of the slats 1f the spring to be mounted has a close or snug fit with the frame. Under such circumstances it is the rigid frame of the spring that serves to maintain the bed or couch frame in its proper rectangular form. However, even: through the use of a closely fitted spring frame, itfis still possible for one or more of the loose slats, that support the spring, to become displaced and either let down an end of the spring or'place undue strain thereon. and on the bed frame as well.

The p nt invention is primarily directed to a structure that isapplicable to any bed or couch frame; that is. any frame. that. comprises. end members removably or permanently connected by side rails- More particularly; the present invention serves both to rigidity av bed or couch. frame and as av support for a spring and mattress intended to be mounted in such frame. To this end, there is disclosed a supporting structure that takes the form of a slat intended to be disposed transversely of its-ends with shoes that are adapted to rest on cleats forming part of the "side rails of the frame. Any given slat is intended to be of a length that is less than the spacia -between the side rails of a frame for which it is intended and the shoes attached thereto rest on the cleats and abut the side rails. Furthermore, the shoes are so fitted to the slat that there can be no twisting, and are of such length as to have a com siderable bearing against the side rails, the purpose being to prevent twisting of the slat when once properly positioned in the bed or couch frame. It will be noted that means is provided by which to y'ieldingly extend the shoes to predetermined limits beyond the ends: of the slat. Additionally, the invention contemplates the provision ofv slats arranged in of two or more and provided with. shoes that, at corresponding ends of the slats, .are integral..- ltwill also-be evident that the invention provides means to a. bed or couch frame in such manner as to accommodate a spring and mattress in either of two positions. v

The invention, therefore, has for its particular objects the provision of convenient. inexpensive, readily removable slat structures for bed or couch frames; whichstructures serve not only to rigidity these Ira-mes. but also to adequately support a spring and mattress.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood. from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which h Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of a bed or couch with parts broken away to disclose the location and arrangement of a slat structure embodying one form'of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a; fragmentary enlarged. plan view showing a slat and attached supporting shoe in position of use;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing one extreme position of adjustment of. a slat and shoe;

Fig. 4. is another view'similar toFig. 3 showing the other extreme position of adjustment ofthe slat and. shoe;

Fig. :5 is a greatly. enlarged vertical sectional idem taken substantially on the line 5-4 of Fig. l, and shows the; slat in position of use substantially as it appears in Fig. 2;

Fig. .6 is a fragmentary perspective view o! the bed. frame showing a unit that includes two slats and. shoes in position of use;

Fig. 7 is an. enlarged fragmentary perspectiye "shoe consists of an angle bar 21.

If against the flange 29 of the bar 21. heretofore mentioned projects vertically through 3 view, partly in section, showing the slat end and attached shoe;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing one of the slat units and a portion of the shoe in position of use; and

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view showing the structure of the shoe for a single slat or slat unit when the structure is mounted on the upper edge of the rail.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral I is employed to generally designate a portion of a conventional bed or couch frame. This frame includes the usual end boards permanentlyjoined to posts I2. Side rails l3 are removably attached, in any conventional manner, to the posts |2, such, for example, as with some form of well known rail hooks (not shown). Each side rail I3 is provided, along its lower inside edge, with a cleat M. In usual practice, a number of slats are merely set into the bed frame to bridge the space between rails l3, the slat endsresting on the rail cleats [4.

The present invention, as has been indicated above, consists of the provision of a slat I6 with means for mounting it on the cleats l4. In the present disclosure, slat i6 is a rectangular member, produced from any material suitable to sustain a portion of the required load to which structure of this type is normally subjected. The slat is preferably of a length somewhat less than the distance between the side rails l3. As indi- :cated in the drawings, the slat may slightly overhang the cleats |4 when in position of use, but underno circumstances is it intended to be of such length as to even closely approach the side rails l3. Near each end of slat I6 is an opening I! and, in the present disclosure, since this opening is adapted to receive a bolt l8 having a portion ofits shank squared, a portion of the walls of the opening I! will also be squared. Centered in each end of the slat i6 is an opening l9, the

'depthand diameter being preferably determined by the thickness of the slat.

In conformity with the invention, it is intended to mount a shoe 2| on each end of the slat l6.

These shoes are identical and of generally T- shape; The stem of the T- consists of a channel 22, having a -base wall 23 and side walls or flanges 24. The sides 24 are preferably of a lesser height than the thickness of the slat l6 adapted to be mounted in this channel. The base wall 23 is formed with a slot 26 which, when the end of the slat-is mounted in the channel, registers with the slat opening IT. The cross portion of the This bar is permanently joined, along its lower or horizontal flange 28, to the end of the channel 22, the jointure being such that ends of flanges 24 abut the upright flange 29' of the bar. As shown in the drawings, the bar 21 is of a length such that,

when in position on the cleat l4, it will have a considerable bearing surface along its flange 28 on said cleat and, of course, since-flange 29 is of approximately the same length, said last flange will have a considerable bearing surface against the side rail |3.

Mounted in the end opening i9 is a coiled compression spring 3|. This spring is of such length that it normally would project at'least half its length beyond the end of the slat in which it is mounted. Ihe exposed end of the spring bears The bolt IS the slat l6 and the head 32 thereof may be countersunk into the top surface of the slat, or formed with a slightly curved head, as shown. The shank of the bolt projects through the slot 26 and is fitted with a conventional washer and wing nut structure 33. The relationship of the slot 28, spring 3|, and bolt l8 will be fully understood from the following description of the installation of the structure above described.

When it is desired to mount slats embodying the present invention in the frame of a bed, the shoes 2|, carried by the slat ends, will be adjusted, with respect to said ends, from the position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 3. This adjustment, of course, compresses springs 3| and, in order to hold the springs in compressed position, the nuts 33 are tightened to prevent relative lengthwise movement of the slat l6 and channels 22. When the shoes have been thus located, the slat may be set into the bed frame between the side rails l3. Inasmuch as the slat is of a lesser length than the space between the side rails l3, the shoes 2|, although resting on the cleats, will not, in all probability, contact said rails. Next, one of the wing nuts 33 is loosened and this releases spring 3| allowing it to extend the shoe 2| to an extent that the flange 29 of the bar 21 abuts the bed rail l3. The nut 33 on the shoe at the opposite end of the slat is also released to cause engagement of this shoe with the adjacent rail l3. Assuming that the springs 3| are of substantially uniform tension, it will be evident that the slat will be balanced between the side rails l3 and the shoes 2| will have pressure engagement with the side rails I3. The nuts 33 are now tightened and the slat and shoe structure is secured in place against displacement.

, Although it is common practice to utilize three to five slats throughout the length of a bed or couch frame in order to provide adequate Spring and mattress support, it is contemplated that the slat |6 may be of such width and thickness that only two will be necessary. In any event, the additional one, two, or three slats that may be required are mounted in the bed or couch frame in the manner above described. Upon completion of such mounting, it will be observed that due to the extensive bearing surface of each shoe with the side rails and the fact that the shoes are locked against any movement with respect to the slats the bed or couch frame has been made absolutely rigid and will be so held in its true rectangular form regardless of any movement of the entire bed frame or of any use to which the bed may be put when spring and mattress are mounted thereon.

Reference is now more particularly had to Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, wherein a modification of the structure above described is shown. Herein a slat unit, generally indicated by the numeral 34, is shown mounted in a bedor couch frame (see Fig. 6). In this instance, a pair of slats 31 are provided with shoe structures 38. Each of these structures includes an angle bar 39, to the ends of which are permanently attached channels 4|. The channels in this modification are identical with the channels 22 heretofore described and, for purposes of the present illustration, the angle bars 39 may be of approximately the same length as the previously mentioned bars 21. Of course, in this instance the bar 39, by reason of its connection with corresponding ends of two of the slats 37, is urged into pressure engagement with the side rail |3 under considerably greater pressure than the bar 21, in view of the fact that there are two springs functioning for this purpose. From the showing of Fig. 6, it will be understood that the average bed or couch will be fitted. with two units 34 and, when theseunits have been installed in precisely the manner of installation of the single slat 16, it will be found that the frame of the bed or couch will be rigidly maintained in its true rectangular form. Of course, the pressure of the bars 39 of the dual shoes in this modification prevents displacement of the unit at all times.

Many beds and couches, prior to their being used for their intended purpose, are shown or displayed in sales rooms. Under these circumstances, it is contemplated not only to disclose the structure of the bed frame but the spring structure as well, and also enable elimination of the display of a mattress, since mattress covers become soiled under such conditions and would not readily be saleable. In other words, by raising the spring of a bed or couch to a height normally assumed by a mattress located on a spring, it is possible to not only display the spring but also display bedspreads and give the effect of a completely made bed. To accomplish this and at the same time utilize the structure of the invention, it is proposed to provide shoes 42 of the type shown in the other modifications of the drawings. The channels 43 of these shoes are identical with those previously described, and mount and secure either rail 16 or 31. The angle bar 44, however, is formed with a laterally ofiset top flange 46, this flange being an addition to the structure of the angle bars previously described. As may be seen in Fig. 9 of the drawings, flange 46 is intended to rest on the top edge of the rail [3. The vertical flange of the bar 44 abuts the rail in the same manner as the vertical flange of the other bars. When eithersingle slats l6 and their attached shoes 2|, or units 34. are provided with bars having the additional flange, they may be set in place on the rails substantially as heretofore described; that-is, by allowing the shoes to be freely extended against the rails under compulsion of springs 3|. When the slat units are thus located, the nuts 33 are turned down and the bed frame, with the slat structure in the plane of the top of the bed rails, is held rigid and capable of supporting a spring.

Although applicant has shown and described only two forms of shoes for mounting and securing slats in fixed relation to side rail-s of the frame of a bed or couch, and one variation in the structure of the shoes by which to locate 6 slats to a different height with respect to the rails, it will be understood that other modifications, particularly with respect to the proportions of the slats and shoes, may be madeand are contemplated insofar as such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the. annexed claim.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

In a structure having connected end and side rails forming a generally rectangular frame and having slats for bridging the space between said side rails; supporting means for thefends of said slats, said supporting means comprising a shoe that includes an elongated bar-.formed by integral right angle flanges, one flange'of said bar being engageable with one of saidfl'side rails, a channel integral with and extending at right angles to the length of said barqand being substantially in the plane of the other of said bar flanges, said channel being proportioned to receive and seat a slat end in suchintimacy as to require a slat to extend in thegdilctiOll of the length of said channel and at right angles to said bar, means carried by said channel operable to secure the seated slat end against lengthwise movement in said channel, said bar being of such greater length than the length of said channel as to normally prevent displacement of a slat from a right angle relationship with respect to one of said side rails when one flange of said bar engages said one side rail throughout its length.

ERNEST H. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 65.964 Thompson June 18, 1867 288,668 Sale Nov. 20, 1883 372,913 Hopkins Nov. 8, 1887 434,132 Howell Aug. 12, 1890 529,331 Lane Nov. 13, 1894 2,452,808 Tucker Nov. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATlgJNTS Number Country Date 25,125 Great Britain 1912 

